Survey study, 2021
Is aerobic exercise performance worse during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase?
Yes. Women completed a cycling time trial more slowly and reported higher fatigue during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase.
What they did
12 recreationally active women (average age 25 years) each completed an 8-kilometer cycling time trial during two different phases of their menstrual cycle: the follicular phase (early cycle) and the luteal phase (late cycle).
What they found
Women produced less power during the luteal phase (averaging 115 watts) compared to the follicular phase (averaging 125 watts). This resulted in a slower time trial during the luteal phase (18.3 minutes) compared to the follicular phase (17.8 minutes). Women reported higher fatigue during the luteal phase, but their heart rate and oxygen use were similar between phases. Mood was more negative before exercise in the luteal phase but improved after exercise.
What it means for you
Exercise may feel harder and produce slower results during the luteal phase of the cycle. This study included only 12 recreationally active women, so findings may not apply to all women, including female athletes or women with more severe premenstrual symptoms.
12
Women studied
18.3 vs 17.8 min
Time trial duration in luteal vs follicular phase
115 vs 125 W
Power output in luteal vs follicular phase
About the study
- Original title
- Exercise Performance Is Impaired during the Midluteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle
- Authors
- Freemas JA, Baranauskas MN, Constantini K et al.
- Journal
- Medicine and science in sports and exercise
- Year
- 2021
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None—this was an observational study comparing two cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002464
Topics
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